Best excuse

Now that our landlords have repaired the call box at the front of our building, when the phone rings, it means that somebody might actually be outside, trying to get in. A few nights ago, the phone rang, and with great trepidation (sure that it was actually a telemarketer who had gotten past the National Do Not Call list), I picked up. It was a freshman at Harvard, calling to ask for me to donate money. "Gee, I'd really like to, but I'm a grad student right now and I barely break even," I said. "Oh, I'm sorry, don't worry then," she said cheerfully, wished me a good night, and hung up. Ah, finally someone who understands...